Nietzsche and Hayakawa

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Synopsis

In so many ways these two authors portray a similar understanding. They both argue that language is an ineffective tool to communicate, both complain about the limited ability of human sensory organs. They both postulate that man cannot perceive anything ‘as it actually is.’

Hayakawa explains what man has done to work through this disability. He tells not only of the challenges that has befallen man but of the solutions that have been wrought throughout history. The ‘why’ is investigated and offered to assist the reader with understanding the steps man has taken. The fact that language is not only a tool but a skill as well is evident in Hayakawa’s piece. Ultimately, the challenges man faces with communication, language specifically, is not only poor sensory input but individual skill as well.

Nietzsche shows the mind of man as the pinnacle of deception. The main reason for language is to lie and deceive. Due to the inadequacy of language, man has to employ metaphors to convey a subject to another individual. These metaphors get used repetitively for such long periods of time that they become stale and loose meaning. This creates the desire to embellish and re-invent the tired old metaphor, building new lies out of the old lies. The primary driving force of man is the formation of metaphors, claims Nietzsche. These metaphors are required so the illusions and deceit can continue unabashed.

Nietzsche has such a bleak, negative outlook of the human condition. He shows very little indication that man has anything but dark and sinister traits. The intellect that man has strived so very hard to improve is used for nothing more than to create illusions to deceive. Life is pointless.

Move 120 years into the future and Hayakawa steps into the picture. Now, even though man still cannot perceive properly there is a positive effort. There is direction, trying to understand and share a believed truth with each other. Do we have a perfect system of communication? No, but it is forever improving. Hayakawa shows that we have hope. We may never get to the finish line of true concept conveyance but we can enjoy the journey to get there.

References

Hayakawa, S. I. & Hayakawa, A. (1991). Language in Thought and Action, (5th ed.). Harcourt, Inc.

Nietzsche, F. (n.d.). On truth and lie in an extra-moral sense. Retrieved from http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl201/modules/Philosophers/Nietzsche/Truth_and

_Lie_in_an_Extra-Moral_Sense.htm